Lisa Armstrong, the celebrated make-up artist on Strictly Come Dancing and ex-wife of TV presenter Ant McPartlin, is reportedly embracing a joyous new chapter with a younger man. A source close to the star reveals she is finally moving on from past heartaches and is "happier than ever" in her new relationship.
A New Love After a Difficult Decade
Armstrong, 49, has quietly been dating 34-year-old actor Grant Kilburn since December 2025. The pair were introduced last October by mutual friends and former Strictly stars Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley, while Kilburn was touring in the West End play 2:22: A Ghost Story.
"She's been so used to being in relationships where she played second fiddle. This time, she's number one," an insider explained. "She's taking it slow, she doesn't want to get hurt again – but she's being treated like a princess."
The source added that Kilburn's life "revolves around hers" and that he constantly adores and encourages her, supporting her thriving career. Despite busy schedules—Kilburn on tour and Armstrong working on Strictly until Christmas—the couple have been seizing every opportunity to spend quality time together.
Overcoming Past Struggles
Armstrong's journey to this point has been marked by significant personal challenges. She was married to Ant McPartlin from 2006 until their divorce in 2018, a split that followed a well-documented struggle to start a family and McPartlin's battles with addiction, which led him to rehab in 2017.
Following the divorce, Armstrong faced further turmoil. A relationship with electrician James Green, which included plans to marry, ended in 2023. That same year, her £5 million home in Chiswick was severely damaged in a fire.
Through it all, she has maintained a co-parenting relationship with McPartlin over their beloved 12-year-old chocolate Labrador, Hurley. Meanwhile, McPartlin has remarried his former PA, Anne-Marie Corbett, with whom he has a son, Wilder.
Embracing a Bright Future
Friends and family have noticed a dramatic positive change in Armstrong. The source emphasised she is brimming with confidence and a newfound energy. "She feels they're perfect together, she trusts him and she's embracing every aspect of this relationship," they said.
Armstrong is reportedly unbothered by the 15-year age gap with Kilburn. "She actually loves dating a younger man – and how different he is to anyone she's dated before," the insider noted.
Kilburn himself has overcome profound adversity, having suffered a life-threatening stroke at the age of 23 in 2014, an experience that inspired his advocacy work for the Stroke Association.
As 2026 begins, those close to Lisa Armstrong believe this could be her best year yet. "She's taking it day by day, but she's never felt happier or more full of confidence," the source concluded. "Friends and family... really think these two could go the distance – they're delighted for her."
